Category Archives: Benedictine monastery

Life’s Qualities

Quality of life is something one talks and thinks about a lot with cancer. Most of the time it’s an easy conversation with oneself: Is it worth it to undergo this treatment, that might be difficult and will certainly have … Continue reading

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In the Garden

It is Maundy Thursday, and my evening didn’t go as planned. I wanted to make a feast and had planned to wash my husband’s feet, if he would let me, which is doubtful. I think it would have been a … Continue reading

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The Story Beneath the Story

I’m writing a novel. I’m in a yearlong novel writing class, in fact. And it is not a happy story. In fact, the story is quite depressing. And so I’ve been going around the past two weeks especially asking myself … Continue reading

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Stability

Last night I went to the 50th Anniversary event for The Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John’s Abbey. It made me think about the Benedictine virtue of Stability. The room was full of wonderful people, many of whom … Continue reading

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What is Homesteading?

Recently, more “homesteading bloggers” have been finding my blog. I am pretty sure it was the addition of “backyard chickens” to my entries. A few days ago I read an entry by a young Canadian blogger I really like at … Continue reading

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“Habits” interview on A Nun’s Life

This interview is almost two years old, but I didn’t realize it was available as a podcast. I had so much fun doing this interview with Sister Julie Viera and Sister Maxine Kollasch. For those who would like to hear … Continue reading

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Props for Father Daniel

Father Daniel Durken died on Saturday, March 29, at the age of 85. For me, he will always be the model of what a priest should be and can be. Hard working, fully engaged with Scripture, prayer and with people, … Continue reading

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The Art of The Saint John’s Bible– complete!

I believe one of the very highest highlights of my writing life so far has been to open a book that I wrote (published last week), The Art of The Saint John’s Bible: The Complete Reader’s Guide, and read this … Continue reading

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Fieldstone

A recent visitor from the UK asked if this part of the country was “the prairie” and if there were any very large farms around. She had heard of these corn and wheat farms that stretched from horizon to horizon … Continue reading

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The Mushroom Farm

In 1985, two years before Steve purchased our 80 acres from the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, Kevin Doyle, who was a classmate of Steve’s at St. John’s University, purchased the monks’ old hog farm in Collegeville. These … Continue reading

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